Awareness Night
@ Valley Stream Central High School 2019
A School-Wide Wellness Event
I had the pleasure of teaching yoga and mindfulness to high school students grades 11-12Awareness Night Service Project Link
Health Education Department:
There are 3 main physical education teachers that teach health education.
The Peer Mentor club:
Nominates well rounded students to be a peer mentor.
Assigned students in different grades who may need extra support.
Demographics
Valley Stream Central HS (10th, 11th, 12th)
Central High School has a very diverse school environment.
According to data.nysed.gov 2017-2018 enrollment there are;
987 total students.
The ratio of females to males is about 50:50.
The Ethnicity at Central HS:
Black or African American 42%
Hispanic or Latino 29%
Asian 20%
White 8%.
Students who are economically disadvantaged is 42%.
There are 87 teachers, 4 school counselors, 2 social workers, 1 dean, 1 principal, 1 school nurse and 2 assistant principals.
The graduation rate: 95% in 2018.
RATIONAL/ACTION:
Ran by The Peer Mentor club.
Main focus is on mental health education, stress and anxiety.
Coping and self-care strategies.
How and where to find extra support or guidance.
Fun Cooperative games/icebreakers and open discussions for the students to feel comfortable and safe to participate.
Encouraging students to participate in cooperative games and yoga activities.
Teachers and staff learning mechanisms that they can share with other staff (PD) and incorporate into the classroom.
Providing classroom teachers with mindfulness tools to utilize as brain-breaks.
Reminding teachers to "check-in" with their students and see how they are doing/feeling.
WSCC'S COMPONENTS:
(Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community)
Health Education
Social and emotional
Physical education/activity
Employee Wellness
Community
Why Awareness Night?
"Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year old Americans." -CDC
“The mental health of adolescents/young adults has a profound impact on their physical health, academic achievement, and well-being. "-Healthy People 2020
"50% of cases of mental health issues begin by age 14; 75% begin by age 24" -Active Minds
"2/3 of students with anxiety or depression don't seek treatment" -Active Minds
Mental Health Awareness Can SAVE Lives !
Speak up, know the signs, show support, be kind.
Awareness Night Survey
Thank you for attending Awareness Night ! Please accurately fill out this survey based on your experiences tonight! You do not have to write your name. Circle your best answer.
1. I enjoyed this event and would attend again.
Yes / No
2. Awareness night provided me with helpful stress relieving tools that I can practice on my own.
Yes / No
3. Which stress relieving tool did you enjoy the most? Circle one.
Yoga Meditation/Breathing activities Exercise/games
4. Which stress relieving tool would you practice on your own? Circle all that apply.
Yoga Meditation/Breathing activities Exercise/games
5. I feel more comfortable talking to a trusted adult or peer mentor in a time of need.
Yes / No
6. I would like VS Central to create a yoga club after school.
Yes / No
7. I would like to see a Yoga unit in Physical Education.
Yes / No
8. I would like my teachers to utilize stress relieving tools in the classroom.
Yes / No